THE SHOWBUS LONDON & HOME COUNTIES BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Red Rover Leyland Nationals
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153 |
  
 
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 The initial trio of Nottingham Nationals, 132-134 dating from 1973 were exchanged for 1976 machines from Portsmouth which were conveniently numbered 152-154. The trio of Nottingham buses was driven down to the south coast and swapped for the Portsmouth buses, the old Red Rover Nationals going for scrap in their stead. Freshly arrived at Aylesbury after the swap are former Portsmouth 114 and 111 (KCR114P & KCR111P), to become Red Rover 154 and 153.
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 Rail replacement services could be fun and this one was particuarly memorable shuttling passengers between Gerrards Cross and High Wycombe via Beaconsfield and the M40. Several Keith Coaches were deployed along with 153. Whoever had drawn up the timetable from the rail side had allowed far too much time for 153, the speed with which it could disgorge a full load via its dual doors meant it was doing two round trips to their one. It was also an impressive performer on the M40 from Beaconsfield on the long downhill towards Loudwater. In those days buses could use the outside lane of a motorway and 152 did, leaving cars in its wake!
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 More pedestrianly 153 is seen at the main terminus in Buckingham on route 2 to Aylesbury.
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One of the delights of Red Rover's rural network was the redoubtable Mrs Kirby. She lived in a cottage near Ashendon on the Wednesdays and Saturdays only route 3 Market Day service from Brill to Aylesbury. She would board the bus both days on its outward journey to Brill, then travel back past her front door all the way to Aylesbury and repeat the journey in reverse on the afternoon return trip. She was well known to all the passengers and drivers and at the centre of local gossip on the bus as she greeted most of the regulars. Drivers would always help her off the bus with her shopping, usually carrying it and hooking the bag on her front door. There was a change in the route at one point to save an afternon bus. Springhill Prison visiting days were also Wednesdays and Saturdays and whilst visitors travelled out on the 1230h Bicester service a bus was sent out in service at 1530h to bring visitors back. The solution was to divert the Brill bus back to Aylesbury via the prison, meaning Mrs Kirby could no longer travel all the way to Brill and back to Ashendon in the afternoon, however she was put in charge of route learning! Sadly she was admitted to Stoke Mandeville Hospital and passed away, but several drivers went to visit her there during her illness.
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 National 153 on LINKLINE 9 to the Hospital is seen on the expanding Haydon Hill estate
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